‘The Kennedys’ to air in Canada

Local networks stand behind show despite Americans backing down.

by Jennifer Cox Jan 11th, 2011

Even though the U.S.’s History Channel (owned by A&E Television Networks) decided not to air the new series “The Kennedys,” Canadian broadcaster Shaw Media also recently announced that they were standing behind the new show and would continue with plans to promote the drama.

"Shaw Media is committed to the production of ‘The Kennedys’ and will broadcast the production in Canada as planned, in Spring 2011,” said Barbara Williams, Senior Vice-President of Content at Shaw, in an official statement.

The American network said they “concluded this dramatic interpretation is not a fit for the History brand” and announced they were pulling the plug on the project on January 7th. “While the film is produced and acted with the highest quality, after viewing the final product in its totality we have concluded this dramatic interpretation is not fit for the History brand,” a History representative said in an exclusive statement to The Hollywood Reporter, as reporter by the Toronto Star.

Starring Greg Kinnear as John F. Kennedy and Katie Holmes as Jacqueline Kennedy, the eight-part series was co-produced by Canadian company Muse Entertainment Enterprises, who also (obviously) stood behind the project. Filming took place at Toronto’s Dufferin Gate Productions. “All who worked on the production made every effort to faithfully and honestly tell the Kennedy family story,” Muse president Michael Prupas said Monday to NEWSCORE. “We meticulously researched all story points.”

Although it hasn’t be announced which channel “The Kennedys” will air on, a Canadian March premiere is still in the works. Shaw owns Global TV as well as specialty channels such as History Television, HGTV and Food Network Canada. “We are awaiting confirmation from our Canadian producers regarding U.S. distribution plans and further broadcast details,” Williams added.